EVENT: Carillon Series Rings in Summer at the University of Rochester

The Hopeman Memorial Carillon Recital Series at the University of Rochester, a summer celebration of an iconic landmark's 40th anniversary on the River Campus, will begin on Monday, July 8.

The free outdoor concerts on the Eastman Quadrangle are open to the public and take place Mondays in July. The program, will begin at 7 p.m., rain or shine, and last about an hour. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring folding chairs, blankets, snacks or picnics, and settle on the lawn on the west side of Rush Rhees Library.

Visiting performers will play programs that include selections of American classics and lullabies, songs from Broadway musicals, as well as compositions written specifically for the carillon. Following the concerts, attendees are invited to meet each performer on the library steps. "The setting is beautiful and serene so the audience can enjoy the concert without a lot of distractions," said Tim Sleep, teacher at the Millennium Carillon in Naperville, Ill. Sleep, who has performed on the University's Hopeman Memorial Carillon before, will travel this summer to several cities, including Rochester. "Each carillon is unique and I really enjoy getting to know the instrument and putting it through its paces."

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the installation of the Hopeman Memorial Carillon, installed in 1973, the majestic instrument housed in the upper-most chamber at the top of Rush Rhees tower, consists of 50 bells that were cast in bronze by Royal Eijsbouts Bellfoundry of Asten in the Netherlands. Throughout the year, the sounds of the carillon can be heard on campus as the traditional melody known as "Westminster Quarters" marks every quarter hour. One of only seven carillons in New York, the more than three ton instrument is regularly played by students of the University's Carillon Society, who perform classic and modern musical compositions for campus events, holidays, and special impromptu concerts. The ringing of the carillon bells also marks special community, state, and national events.

Performer schedule:

Monday, July 8
Carol Jickling Lens, instructor at the North American Carillon School and chair of the Nomination Committee of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America.

Monday, July 15
Sally Harwood, a member of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America and currently a retiree, performs regularly at Beaumont Tower at Michigan State University.

Monday, July 22
Tim Sleep, teacher and performer on the Millennium Carillon in Naperville, Ill., and vice president of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America.

Monday, July 29
Philippe Beullens, associate city carillonneur in Mechelen and Leuven and instructor at St. Martin's College in Overijse, Belgium.

The Hopeman Memorial Carillon Summer Recital Series is sponsored by the Department of Music. For more information, contact (585) 275-2828. For information about the carillon, or to hear the bells online, go to www.rochester.edu/aboutus/carillon/.

About the University of Rochester

The University of Rochester (www.rochester.edu) is one of the nation's leading private universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering is complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, and the Memorial Art Gallery.